Garvin Park comes alive

Fantasy of lights kicks off

Go Takayama / Courier &amp; Press
Crystal Denney, left, and her husband David Denney, right, both of Boonville, Ind., cruise around Garvin Park in Evansville Thursday night in a carriage with their twins, Mackinzee, left, and Lilee, both 21 months old, and their son Tyler, 11, back, as the winter light show kicks off for the 15th annual Ritzy's Fantasy of Lights. This year's display features 60 lighted scenes — a record number — and 80,900 light bulbs.

One of the largest drive-through winter light shows in Indiana, the 15th annual Ritzy's Fantasy of Lights opened Thursday night at Garvin Park in Evansville.

Ritzy's Fantasy of Lights officially got under way on Thanksgiving evening as Owen George, 8, joined Santa Claus to switch on one of the first displays that patrons see as vehicles roll through Garvin Park.

IF YOU GO

What: Ritzy's Fantasy of Lights

Where: Garvin Park

When: Open from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday until Jan. 4

Admission: For vehicles with up to six people, $7 per vehicle; for vehicles with 7-14 people, $10; for vehicles with 15 or more people, $25

G.D. Ritzy's restaurants sell advance tickets. Horse-drawn carriages for up to six people are available nightly, weather permitting, for $30. Horse-drawn hayrides are available with advance reservations. For more information, call 449-1831.

Ritzy's Fantasy of Lights officially got under way on Thanksgiving evening as Owen George, 8, joined Santa Claus to switch on one of the first displays that patrons see as vehicles roll through Garvin Park.

Owen, the son of Art and Mindy George of Newburgh, has spina bifida. The Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center, which is the beneficiary of Fantasy of Lights proceeds, has worked with Owen for much of the boy's life.

Owen, the son of Art and Mindy George of Newburgh, has spina bifida. The Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center, which is the beneficiary of Fantasy of Lights proceeds, has worked with Owen for much of the boy's life.

Services for children such as Owen are what the Rehabilitation Center is all about, and the Fantasy of Lights has raised nearly $1.8 million in its 15-year history.

Last year's event raised about $133,000, and organizers hope to equal or beat that total this year.

The display at Garvin Park includes 60 lighted scenes — a record number — and 80,900 light bulbs.

Back in 1994, the event's first year, there were only 26 scenes.

New this year are "Wizard of Oz," sponsored by the Grainger Foundation; "Musical Gnomes," sponsored by Newburgh Civitan Club; and "Jeb's Friends," celebrating the life of Jeb Nicholas Gourley.

The displays were installed by volunteers from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 16 and the National Electrical Contractors Association, with assistance from members of Teamsters Local 215.

Those organizations and others donate about 3,500 volunteer hours to the event annually.

A row of vehicles already was waiting at 5 p.m. for barricades at the front of the park to be moved. Joyce Hardison, her daughter Shannon and 3-year-old grandson Connor were first in line.